With several big things all happening on July 25 — including the annual Harley Party fundraiser, Jerry Seinfeld’s Amarillo stop, Amarillo College’s Chalk It Up and more — this weekend is a bit quieter but still has a few events to enjoy.
The highly anticipated adaptation of the Greek epic, Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” opens nationally in theaters, including Cinergy Entertainment in Amarillo. Tascosa Drive-In will be showing “Minions & Monsters” and “Young Washington” (Thursday) and the new “Moana” and “Toy Story 5” (Friday through Sunday).
Over at the Amarillo Civic Center, the Amarillo Police Department hosts the IPMBA 2026 Annual Conference, while the Texas Gun & Knife Show sets up shop Saturday and Sunday, July 18-19. The July 19 performance of SweetNotes 2.0 at the Auditorium has been cancelled.
Here are a few events of note for the July 16-19 weekend in the Amarillo area.
Local treasure screens ‘National Treasure’
July 17: Movie on the Lawn at Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum — While the PPHM building itself remains in limbo on the WT campus, families can gather outside to enjoy a classic adventure movie this Friday. The free, family event in Canyon returns, with “National Treasure” being screened at the PPHM East Lawn starting at dusk (around 8:30 p.m.). Join Benjamin Franklin Gates on an unforgettable adventure filled with history, mystery, and hidden clues. Popcorn, sodas, and merchandise will be available for purchase, and the community event is sponsored by FirstBank Southwest. Families will hopefully begin enjoying some art exhibits again next year: The Panhandle-Plains Historical Society, which manages the museum’s collection, recently announced a satellite art location in Amarillo is in the works.
Summer BBQ celebration of scholars
July 17: Los Barrios De Amarillo Annual Summer BBQ — Friday’s special event in the Barrio will bring the community together to celebrate and recognize their LEAD Scholarship recipients, as well as their families, donors, sponsors, and first responders who work tirelessly to keep the community safe. The celebration runs 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1615 S. Roberts St. Attendees will also have the opportunity to connect with community members, meet the students and families they serve, and learn more about the impact and continued growth of Los Barrios De Amarillo. To RSVP, email Kimberly at Kimberly@wesleycc.com or call 806-372-7960.
Pleasant Valley community picnic
July 18: 1st Annual Pleasant Valley Community Picnic & Care Fair — The Pleasant Valley River Road Revitalization Group is inviting the community to Saturday’s free inaugural event at Pleasant Valley Park, 700 E Central St. The event will celebrate a recent grant awarded for the Pleasant Valley Mural Initiative Project, and it will also bring families together for free activities, community resources, and a school supply giveaway. The group hopes, with partnerships, to make it an annual event.
Happiness is …
Through July 19: “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” at ALT Academy — Good grief! Based on the well-loved comic strip, “Peanuts,” by Charlies M. Schulz, the timeless musical is being presented by Amarillo Little Theatre’s Academy this summer, featuring 11 Academy students and directed by Academy Director Harrison Stringer, as the opener to ALT’s 99th season. Everyone’s favorite blockhead and his gang, including Linus, Lucy, Schroeder and Snoopy, explore life’s great questions while playing baseball, struggling with homework, and swooning over crushes. The show continues Thursday through Sunday, with matinee times on the weekend, in the ALT Adventure Space, 2751 Civic Circle. Reserve your tickets by calling the ALT Box Office at (806) 355-9991 or going online to their website, www.amarillolittletheatre.org.
Summerween Market
July 19: 3rd annual Summerween Market at Idol Art Studio — Opening at sundown at 2918 SW 6th St., Sunday’s event promises to offer all the midsummer spookiness you need. An event description from the local art collective says, “Step into a market filled with dark art, oddities, vintage horror, local artists, handmade goods, creepy collectibles, gothic décor, tattoos, food, drinks, and the kind of atmosphere that feels like an old monster movie after midnight.” You can also drop by Aunt Eek’s Book’s & Curiosities to enter a raffle for two baskets, which will have a drawing in mid-October, or give a donation, as they work with the art studio to raise love and support for the family of local artist, activist, instructor and all-around powerhouse Amanda E Fitzgerald, who died unexpectedly earlier this month.
Other events of note to mark on your calendar:
You can still see some cool Route 66-related artwork, photos and actual cars in ongoing exhibits at the Amarillo Museum of Art, now through August, and Wonderland Amusement Park’s 75th anniversary season with all the ride favorites continues through September. The “TEXAS” Outdoor Musical and Shakespeare July weekly peformances also keep the Pioneer Amphitheatre stage busy on summer nights, while Palo Duro Canyon State Park hosts Art in the Canyon and a photography hike. The newly revamped Amarillo Zoo & Sanctuary is also open daily for families to enjoy, and the Discovery Center continues its 50th anniversary with summer camps, special events and dinosaur-themed exhibits.
Set up your own scavenger hunts of public art displays, including all the Blank Spaces murals in town and Center City’s Hoof Prints, with the newest life-size horse statue being unveiled this week.
Find more events online at https://www.visitamarillo.com/ .
Kristina Wood is managing editor of the Amarillo Globe-News, whose coverage includes Amarillo and Canyon, and into the Texas Panhandle. Have a story idea? Send it in at newmedia@amarillo.com .
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Things to do this weekend in Amarillo and Canyon area
Reporting by Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kristina Wood, Amarillo Globe-News | USA TODAY Network
